Collaborative Professional Inquiry: Getting Better, Together
At St Peters Lutheran College Springfield, our ‘why’ is to ensure every student learns, everyday. Of course, we know that one of the most significant in-school factors that drives excellence in student outcomes is excellent teaching. So, if we are to continually improve the quality of our teaching in the service of our learners, we must invest in quality professional learning for teachers. Education experts agree that the most impactful professional learning for teachers is job-embedded, context-specific, ongoing, teacher-directed, and inquiry-based (OECD, 2020).
Accordingly, this year in the Secondary School, we have introduced a new Professional Growth Framework to support teachers in improving their collective pedagogical practice. One aspect of our Professional Growth Framework is the launch of Professional Learning Teams (PLTs), where, led by Curriculum Leaders, teachers meet in departmental groups to engage in rigorous professional inquiry.
Our PLTs utilise the well-regarded Teaching Sprints model to structure their inquiry, a model developed by academics from the University of Melbourne. During a Teaching Sprint, PLT members come together to determine a focus for practice improvement (informed by the research evidence), intentionally practise in classrooms over a 4–6-week period, collect evidence to analyse their impact on student learning outcomes, celebrate progress, and share insights to determine implications for further practice.
Underpinned by contemporary Science of Learning research evidence, St Peters PLTs will explore 5 key principles (or “Big Ideas”) that underpin quality pedagogical practice:
Orchestrate attention
Optimise instruction
Drive deep thought
Create a culture of error
Ensure consolidation
This semester, in recognition of the fact that “attention is the gatekeeper of learning” (McCrea, 2024), all PLTs are focusing on Big Idea 1: Orchestrating Attention. To support this focus, the College has engaged teacher educator, Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, to facilitate a series of Responsive Teaching masterclasses. In classrooms across the Secondary School, teachers are employing high-impact instructional strategies to promote high levels of sustained student attention through signal, motivation, routine, and participation. These include techniques such as: Do Now entry activities; Think, Pair & Share visible thinking routines; and Cold Call questioning strategies. Resultingly, we are pleased to witness markedly enhanced learner focus and inclusion across Secondary year levels and disciplines.
It is through our PLT learning that we seek to develop a Secondary School Instructional Playbook; a bespoke, context-specific collection of codified pedagogical techniques that our teachers flexibly use across classrooms to support every St Peters Springfield child learn, every day.
Sarah Gunn Director of Studies & Pedagogy Years 7-12
What's On
What's On - Term 2, Week 4
09 MAY – Mother’s Day stall 8:00am – 10:30am
10 MAY – Mother’s Day Breakfast 7:30am and Chapel 8:20am Hub
10 MAY – Follow up of Mother’s Day stall
10 MAY – Bespoke Small Group Tour: Primary 9:05am – 10:05am; Secondary 9:15am – 10:15am
St Peters Western Final Training Session Before Paris Trials - Saturday 11 May
On Saturday 11 May, the St Peters community has a unique chance to witness Dean Boxall and his elite high-performance squad's final training session before they depart for the 2024 Paris Olympics swimming trials.
This exclusive opportunity grants access to the usually off-limits St Peters Aquatic Centre, where spectators can observe the squad, including international swimming stars like Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O'Callaghan, Elijah Winnington, Shayna Jack, Brianna Throssell, Jack Cartwright, Kiah Melverton, Abbey Harkin, Jenna Forrester and St Peters Year 12 student Jaclyn B, as they undergo intense race simulation training.
Although you won't have the chance to meet the swimmers or take photos, due to their focus on training, you'll be right in the midst of the action, experiencing the energy and atmosphere of Olympic-level competition.
Gates open at 6:00am sharp, and spectators must be seated by 6:25am to catch the 6:30am start of the session, which will last approximately 2 hours. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the excitement!
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest." Hebrews 4:9-11
Australia has sometimes been called the Land of the Long Weekend! We love our weekends, and we love our long weekends even more. It is the season of Public Holidays - Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC DAY, Labour Day, and, in Ipswich, Show Day all follow in quick succession, meaning we are getting long weekends regularly at this time of the year. Intriguingly, on the Friday between the Thursday ANZAC Day holiday and the weekend, sick leave absences were expected to be up by 53%. I don't know what the final figure was, but that's a remarkable coincidence so many more people than usual would get sick on that day!
While taking a `sickie’ to get a long weekend is not honest, I don't begrudge people taking leave they are entitled to, and I wholeheartedly approve of making the most of times of rest. God designed us to rest. We need to spend up to a third of each day sleeping for good physical and mental health. We need a day of rest each week for this as well. The bible tells us even God rested on the seventh day, so we don't need to pretend we work harder than God by working every day. The bible tells us Jesus took time out to rest and to pray, so we have every encouragement to do so too.
Rest is vital. Sometimes employers urge their employees to give 100%, or even 110% or more effort in our jobs. That's plainly ridiculous! If you want to run at 100% effort you would be sprinting. No one can sprint all the time. Nor can we always work at maximum speed or capacity. A much more helpful approach from employers would be to encourage us to do what is required in the whole of life, in order to be focused when we are at work, and in that way we will be the most productive. This means making time to rest. We must recognise how to pace ourselves at work and at home so we can live in a sustainable way. We all get this out of balance at times. We need to be vigilant that we don't overwork ourselves and experience burnout, or fall into laziness and other bad habits. Rest is critical for us.
The good news of Easter is that Jesus has won for us eternal rest with God. In the letter to the Hebrews we read about God's plan for this eternal rest which Jesus gives us. Jesus himself promised to give rest to the weak and heavily laden. Spiritual rest from Jesus will refresh us physically as well. There is a delightful line in Robin Mann's song `Walking Down The Road' which says of Jesus, "You know when to run, when to rest in the sun, so I'm walking down the road with you." There are times to run and times to rest. There are times to work hard and times to take a break from our work. We live knowing Jesus wants us to rest and that Jesus gives us rest.
The good news is also that there will come a time when our work on earth is done. We have the promise of heavenly rest in the peace and joy of our gracious God.
Pastor Matt Wilksch Springfield Chaplain
Primary Years
Year 6 Leadership Badge Ceremony
Last week, our Year 6 students received their leadership badges. As the leaders of the Primary Years, they have been on a journey of self-reflection and growth. We began our school year with a series of workshops that focussed on connectedness for the cohort and character development for each individual. Mr Tim Kotzur (Head of College), Mr Craig Brown (Head of Springfield), Mrs Sabri (Head of Primary Years) and Chaplain Ben joined the Primary Years leaders for a panel discussion on their own leadership styles and beliefs.
Throughout this journey, Year 6 students were writing reflections on their new learnings and drew on these to create their own personalised leadership quote and as a cohort, their leadership pledge to our school community. Receiving their badges was an honour that each and every one of them earned, wearing them each day with respect and pride.
Mrs Alana Cullen and Ms Susan Levitt Year 6 Pastoral Care Teachers
Performing Arts
Performing Arts News
"We love music deeply, but why? Put simply: music makes lives, shapes lives, expresses all shades and stages of life - and even saves lives.” ― Rasheed Ogunlaru
Strings Concerts
Thanks to Ms Crellin and members of Cantabile Strings who will play during the Mother’s Day Breakfast on Friday 10 May. We are fortunate to have numerous opportunities throughout the year to be able to showcase the many talents of our musicians and staff.
Timothy Sherlock Vocal Workshop
On Wednesday, Dolce Voce were thrilled to be involved in a vocal workshop with leading Brisbane Composer, Choral Conductor, Educator and Handbell Director Timothy Sherlock. Timothy shared his expertise and assisted the students to further develop their ensemble skills, tone production and conveying meaning to an audience, plus gave them invaluable tips for their eisteddfod preparation.
Drama Troupe
Our budding actors began working this week with Mrs Kathy Wilson, our esteemed Speech and Drama teacher and are excited to present the inaugural One Act play in late August. New members are always welcome at the rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:50pm-3:30pm in JHP 11.
Ipswich Eisteddfod
Parental permission letters were sent last week to Dolce Voce parents regarding their participation at the 78th Annual Ipswich Music Eisteddfod. We wish our performers the best of luck and look forward to some assembly performances.
Semester 1 Recitals
As per the College Calendar, the Semester 1 Recitals will be held in PA1 during the week 20 May - 23 May. Scheduling is in progress and students are to wear their full winter school uniform for these recitals (S & D costumes are permitted). Information will be emailed to parents at least a week prior by Performing Arts Assistant – Ms Yasmin Powell.
Performing Arts Showcase Concert Semester 1
Preparations are underway for the Performing Arts Showcase to be held on 29 May from 6:00pm-7:15pm in the JH Foyer. Instrumental Tutors have been asked to identify 1 performer and Directors of Co-curricular ensembles to enter their ensembles. Please check emails in the coming weeks for further information for performers.
Assembly Performance
Thanks to Miandri K who performed at the start of Assembly this week.
Upcoming Events Term 2
Ipswich Junior Music Eisteddfod: Dolce Voce: 21 May
Semester 1 Recitals: 20-23 May
Performing Arts Showcase Concert Semester 1: 29 May
Mrs Geraldine Campbell Performing Arts Coordinator
Sport
Sport Photos
SPORT PHOTOS
These photos will be handled separately to the class photos. Further information regarding these will be forwarded at another time including dress code.
You will receive an order envelope a few weeks after the photos are taken.
Secondary Sport Semester 1 Photos (Years 7 – 12) will take place on Monday 13 May
Primary Sport Semester 1 photos on Friday 31 May.
If you have any queries regarding the Sports photos, please contact the Sports Department on 07 3377 6143.
You are aware of what time/s you’re required for buses, both to and from IND.
Only students in the CORRECT UNIFORM will be allowed to have their photo taken (this includes no jewellery & watches).
All Senior and Junior High students (Year 7 – Year 12) in sports photos are to be in FULL WINTER FORMAL UNIFORM, with the exception of all First Boys teams (ie 1st XI Cricket and Open Girls teams (ie Open Basketball) are to wear their correct playing uniform.
There will be a lot of movement on Monday with photos being taken for Semester 1 Sport. Please note, that not all Semester 1 team photos are being taken on this day, please read the 2024 Secondary Sports Photos Semester 1 Schedule document to see which photos are being taken and which photos will be taken in Semester 2.
If in multiple photos, you are to take work with you to complete while you are waiting.
Some students are required to be at IND for photos being taken at 8:05 (AIC Rugby: Years 7-9). For those boys, there is a bus leaving SFD at 7:00am.
QGSSSA Football may remain at IND after your photo for training.
If you have any questions or concerns, please communicate with me ASAP.
Brendan Johns Head of Sport
Springfield Sport
Term 3 AIC and QGSSSA Sign On
A reminder that communication has been emailed to both students and families to register interest for Term 3 AIC and QGSSSA Sport. Please complete these forms as soon as possible to help our coordinators determine teams for these sports.
Representative Sport
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for QRSS sanctioned teams:
16-19 Years Hockey: Caitlin M (Year 10) has been selected for the 16-19 Years Met West Girls Hockey team. Caitlin will travel to Cairns in early June to compete with the Met West team. This comes after Caitlin represented the U18 Ipswich team at the Hockey Queensland State Championships. Caitlin, although only 16 was selected as Captain for this team. Congratulations Caitlin.
14-15 Years Rugby Union: Asher B (Year 9) has been selected as part of the 14-15 Years Boys Rugby Union team to compete at the State Championships being held at Banyo in late July. This comes after some great form Asher has shown for the Year 9 team playing in the AIC competition. Asher has scored four tries in two games so far this season.
16-19 Years Netball: Ella M (Year 12) has been selected as part of the 16-19 Years Queensland Netball High Performance Training Squad. This comes after Ella represented Met West last week at the 16-19 Years State Netball Championships.
Running Club
Running Club continues on Thursday mornings, attendance is high, and it has been great to see so many students getting some exercise in before school. Those students interested in representing St Peters at either the AIC or QGSSSA Cross Country Championships are encouraged to attend these sessions in addition to other trainings.
SLAPS Cross Country
All the best to those students who competed at SLAPS (Southern Lutheran Associated Primary Schools) Cross Country at Redeemer Lutheran College’s playing fields.
More details and results will appear in the Week 5 issue of Cornerstone.
Mr Brendan Johns Head of Sport
Rowing
Boys Rowing
The St Peters Boys Shed enjoyed a very long but successful first regatta in the South Queensland School Aged Rowing Conference last Saturday with the following crews taking first place in their events:
Year 8 Junior Quad – Ben K, Juey K, Matteo B, Ansel J, Harry S (cox)
Year 10 Single Scull Div 1 – Max K
Year 10 Double Scull Div 2 – Oliver H, Ray C
Year 10 Quad Div 1 – Dheeraj C, Josh W, Oliver H, Ray C, Finn O (cox)
Open Single Scull – Div 1 – Flynn G
Open Single Scull – Div 2 – Sam M
Open Double Scull – Div 1 – Ted A, Luca K
Open Quad – Div 1 – Matt J, Lucas C, Sam M, Flynn G, Dominic P (cox)
Congratulations to all our rowers and coaches who did themselves proud at the Queensland State Rowing Centre, Wyaralong. A big thank you to all the Rowing parents for supporting the boys, towing the equipment trailer, taking photographs to share and providing catering during the regatta. We look forward to building on these results in regatta 2 on Saturday 18 May.
Girls Rowing
The girls shed is starting to hit it’s stride this week with all squads on the water and in the gym consistently over the last couple of weeks. Our Junior Shed (Year 8 – 9) are spending as much time as possible in single sculls during their water sessions. St Peters Rowing fleet includes 20 single scull which gives all our athletes the opportunity to develop excellent rowing technique. This is a unique aspect of St Peters approach to Rowing compared with many of the large school programs in the BSRA. It provides a significant technical advantage once we reach regatta season.
The girls have all completed a practice round of ergo trials last week with their first real trials this week ahead of the BSRA Indoor Rowing Championship on Monday 20 May, hosted by Somerville House. The Indoor Rowing Team will be announced early next week. ALL girls are encouraged to attend the championship. There will be a bus to and from Somerville House after school – more information will be available later this week.
Helen Allard Coordinator – Rowing Programs
Boys Sport
“The only one who can tell you 'you can't win' is you and you don't have to listen.” - J Ennis
Boys Weekly Sport
Chess
The Boys' Chess team faced off against St Laurence's College in a tightly contested match, resulting in a 56-56 aggregate point draw. Our team showcased dominance by winning three divisions, and turning over an 18 point deficit at the halfway point. Additionally, it marked the commencement of the season for our Primary students, setting a promising tone for the rest of the year and great to have all year levels compete at the same venue and afternoon.
Football
Our First XI Football team played an exhilarating match ending in a 0-0 draw. Despite the lack of goals, the game was action-packed with thrilling one-on-one encounters and impressive penalty saves.
Rugby
In Rugby, our school hosted a thrilling festival of sport for the second consecutive week, welcoming teams from all divisions. Our Year 7s clinched a narrow victory, demonstrating promising skill and teamwork. Meanwhile, our First XV engaged in a spirited battle against St Laurence's College, showcasing determination and resilience throughout the match.
Cross Country
Preparations for Cross Country are underway, with the first meet scheduled for Wednesday 8 May at Sherwood. This event will provide our runners with their initial opportunity to gauge their abilities in the AIC competition.
While the recent results against St Laurence's College may not have been what we hoped for, they serve as valuable learning experiences. These setbacks will enable us to identify areas for improvement, both as a team and individually, as we gear up for future challenges in the AIC Season. We eagerly anticipate a strong comeback in our upcoming fixture against St Patrick's College this weekend.
Let's continue to support our boys in their sporting endeavours and encourage them as they strive for excellence in the upcoming weeks of competition
Football
It is essential that students are attending their designated teams training this season. If students are unavailable due to injury, illness or extra-curricular activities they need to communicate to their coaches ASAP. Additionally, unless communicated with coaches to students directly they are to only play for their nominated team as per AIC bylaws. Students are not able to play two matches in one day.
AIC Cross Country News
Next week will be our second meet on Wednesday 15 May, 2024. All students involved are strongly encouraged to attend as many meets as possible. Next Wednesday will feature the second meet of the season hosted at Curlew Park.
Students involved in the meet will depart from the internal bus bay at 2:40PM on 8 May. To sign up and reserve your spot on the bus please CLICK HERE. Sign up by Tuesday 14 May.
this week in sport
AIC Cross Country, Chess, Football and Rugby are the current IN-SEASON BOYS AIC SPORTS this term and training is currently well underway.
For details of times and venues for this weekend’s Round 3 Fixture against St Patrick’s college please check the information on the St Peters App.
Please ensure you check the St Peters App. for both venue details and time of games for the Trial Round of St Peters AIC Boys Sport.
Please CLICK HERE for Rugby Union game day schedule
For our St Peters sporting programs to positively develop and grow, it is paramount that our students attend training sessions for their chosen sport, so they can improve and refine sport-specific skills and build cohesion amongst their team-mates.
If students are unable to attend some training sessions, it is vital that their absence is communicated to their coaches firstly, and also the respective coordinator/s.
Please also CLICK HERE to access the AIC Sporting Calendar for 2024.
Matchday expectations
A reminder that all St Peters boys do need to be dressed correctly at both AIC training and at AIC games. All uniforms can be purchased from Shop45 or via School locker, please refer to website for opening hours. For matchdays, enclosed footwear must be worn to games, no slides or crocs are to be worn at St Peters or associated AIC schools.
Football
Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements
At Training – All St Peters AIC Footballers are to wear their St Peters training uniform to training including shin guards and boots.
At Games – All St Peters AIC Footballers must be wearing:
St Peters numbered Football shirt (NO sports/PE shirts are to be worn at AIC games)
St Peters maroon PE/Sports Shorts
Long socks are to be worn at AIC Volleyball Games with shin guards
Joggers MUST be worn at all times before/after – No slides or thongs are to be worn at any time
Rugby
Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements
At Training – students must wear their ‘Program Shirt’ to their training session.
At Games – students are to arrive to their game wearing:
St Peters ‘Program Shirt’ and then get changed into your jersey
Mouthguard is mandatory
Long maroon socks are to be worn at AIC Cricket Games.
Joggers MUST be worn at all times – No slides or thongs are to be worn at any time
Chess
Students to wear full formal uniform for matches
ST PETERS STUDENT SPECTATORS ON GAMEDAYS
Should any St Peters student be attending a St Peters sporting event/game outside of normal College hours, it is expected that they are dressed in St Peters Formal Uniform. Should a student not be wearing the correct attire when attending a sporting event/game, they may be asked to leave the venue.
WET WEATHER AND CANCELLATIONS
With regards to wet weather and any unforeseen or potential cancellations of AIC sports, please ensure that you keep an eye out for notifications and alerts via the St Peters App. We will endeavour to keep everyone updated on both training cancellations and game day changes as the week progresses.
Daniel Fraser Boys Sport Coordinator
Girls Sport
Congratulations
Athletics
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in the Australian U18 team to compete at the Oceania Athletics Championships held in Fiji in June. Good luck girls!
Amaya M (Year 11) 100m, 200m
Milla R (Year 12) 2000m Steeplechase
Isabelle P (Year 12) 100m Hurdles
Allira T (Year 11) Shot Put
Sophie S (Year 11) Pole Vault
I’d also like to recognise the achievements of our Old Scholars who have been selected in the Open Australian Team to compete at the Oceania Championships.
Toby Stolberg High Jump (2023)
Tori Lewis 200m (2022)
Netball
Congratulations to Tia M (Year 11) whose recent performance at the Netball National Championships in Victoria gained her selection in the 17 Years and Under National Netball team.
I would also like to recognise and congratulate the following girls who have been selected in the Queensland Representative School Sport Netball teams.
Makayla C (Year 12) 16-19 Years
Ella M (Year 12) 16-19 Years
Julia S (Year 10) 13-15 Years
We wish Julia the best of luck as she competes for QLD at the National Championships in July at the Gold Coast.
QGSSSA Cross Country
Captains
Congratulations to the following girls who have been chosen to lead the St Peters QGSSSA Cross Country team in 2024.
Cross Country Captains: Ella K and April F (Year 12)
Cross Country Vice Captain: Jade H (Year 11)
Week 5
The St Peters QGSSSA Cross Country team will be announced by Tuesday, Week 5.
Compulsory Training Run - Wednesday 15 May AM or PM training session
QGSSSA Team Breakfast - Friday 17 May AM
QGSSSA Cross Country Championships at John Paul College - Saturday 18 May
